How to Organize Your Car for Emergencies Big and Small

Most people have some preparations in place to handle an emergency at home, but what about an emergency in the car? Though I’m a mom who spends enough time in my car to consider it my second home, I only recently realized how unprepared I was for the unexpected while behind the wheel. To remedy this and make sure my family was as safe as possible, I spent last weekend gathering supplies and organizing them in my car. I’m happy to say that—knock on wood—I’m now prepared for any kind of emergency.

Big Emergencies

In the event of a big emergency, it’s crucial that you have your glove compartment in order. Mine was overstuffed with receipts, trash, and outdated maps—basically everything except gloves. I tossed what was unnecessary, then focused on organizing the informational materials everyone should keep here:

Insurance Card and Vehicle Registration: If you get into an accident or pulled over by the police, these documents will be the first items the officer asks for, so you want them to be readily available. I put mine in an insurance and registration case, and I made sure that both my insurance card and registration were current and not, ahem, two years past the expiration date.

Emergency Contacts: Emergency responders are trained to look in the glove compartment for this kind of information, so it’s crucial to have it in there. I clearly labeled and laminated my family’s list of contacts to ensure it wouldn’t get thrashed with daily use or from kids’ rummaging hands.

Medical Card: If you or any of your family members are allergic to any medicine, or have a condition that requires special attention, keep this information in the glove compartment as well.

The Basics: Once I’d taken care of the key informational materials listed above, I filled my glove compartment with my owner’s manual, plus items that would come in handy in the event of a roadside emergency: a flashlight, a cell phone charger, a pad of paper, and a pencil (not a pen, which is likely to dry out or freeze over time).

Supplies and Gear: I bought a trunk organizer and filled it with a first aid kit, a tire gauge, jumper cables, a tire jack, and LED roadside flares. I’m a big proponent of getting a trunk organizer for a couple reasons: It will make finding these important items a whole lot easier when you absolutely need them in what’s likely to be a stressful situation, and it will save space so you can still easily fit groceries or suitcases inside.

Small Emergencies

Thankfully, while on the road we’re much more likely to encounter a small emergency. To prepare, I stocked my middle console with tissues, hand sanitizer, a lint roller, mints, bottled water, and USPS Forever stamps that will stay current. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched high and low in my car for one of these items. Now I won’t have to! If you don’t have a middle console, you can also put these items in an under-the-seat bag.

Kid Emergencies

Moms need to be even prepared for a range of kid emergencies, too. Backseat organizers can be great for this; I hung one over the passenger seat and filled it with toys, books, and snacks to keep my daughter entertained on the road. There’s also space for sunscreen, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes. The change of clothes is especially key since my daughter, like most kids, can manage to dirty an outfit with two hands tied behind her little back.

I definitely recommend taking a little time to organize your car. Now, I not only feel confident that I’ll be able to handle an emergency in the car, but I also know that I don’t have to spend ten minutes searching under the seat for mints!